ecting the premises of the Fleur de Lye, which was the most
commodious and important inn in the lower town. It had been a good
deal shattered by the bombardment, and the proprietor had been
killed by a bursting shell. His family had been amongst the first
of the inhabitants to take ship for France and now the place stood
empty, its sign swinging mournfully from the door, waiting for some
enterprising citizen to come and open business there again.

"Doubtless the Commander has given him the offer of the house and
business," said Fritz when he heard. "Ashley is just the man to
restore prosperity to the old inn. Let us go and seek him there,
Humphrey. A stout-hearted English-speaking host will be right
welcome at the inn, and our fellows will bring him plenty of
custom."

The comrades hurried along the now familiar streets, and reached
their destination in due course. The inn stood at no great distance
from the harbour, and was in its palmy days a great resort both for
the soldiers of the fortress and the sailors who navigated the
great river. It was a solid building, and though its roof had been
much damaged, and there was an ugly crack all down the front, its
foundations were solid, and a little care and skill would soon
repair the damage.

Fritz followed Humphrey into the big public room close to the
entrance, and there he came face to face with Benjamin Ashley, who
was just saying farewell to Brigadier Murray, and whose honest face
lighted with pleasure at the sight of the stalwart soldier.

"It shall be seen to at once, Mr. Ashley," the Commander was
saying. "I will set the men to work tomorrow, and in a few days the
place will be habitable. You shall have immediate possession, and
the sooner you can start business the better for all. We want
Quebec to be a town again, and not a ruin. We want to make friends
of the inhabitants, and show them that the conditions of life are
not altogether altered. We want them to trust us and to think of us
as friends. I am sure you will help us in this. Nothing like good
wine and a jovial host to set men's tongues wagging in a friendly
fashion, and lighten their hearts of any load of fear and
despondency."

Murray strode out, returning the salutes of his subordinates, and
the next minute Fritz and Ashley were exchanging a warm greeting.

"Welcome to Quebec, my friend; it does the heart good to see you
here. Humphrey declared you had promised to come soon; but I had
not dared